MORE THAN 10,000 people have signed a petition on the Prime Minister's website protesting at swingeing increases in water bills now facing hundreds of churches.The petition was the idea of a churchwarden in North Thornaby on Teesside, in the York diocese, David Boddy, who said at the weekend: "I am very pleased with the response.
"The response shows that the problem is widespread. We have seen a 1,300 per cent increase in our church water bill, but it's not just us. The petition's popularity has led to its availability being extended until December."
The rising water bills facing churches have been brought before the General Synod by York lay member Martin Dales, a former Mayor of Malton, North Yorkshire.
In a private members' motion, Mr Dales calls on the Government to remind OFWAT of its "obligations" to ensure that churches are treated as charities, as laid down in government guidance issued in 2000.
Mr Dales, a prominent local musician, told ReligiousIntelligence.com: "It is quite outrageous that at a time when many churches are facing huge increases in electricity and gas bills, such unannounced increases in water bills should also be thrust on parishes -- often just because they have had a water meter fitted in an attempt to keep their bills down."
Last month, church representatives met OFWAT officials to discuss the issue, but have not yet had a response. As one is awaited, Mr Dales said: "Meanwhile, I would encourage churches to avoid having water meters fitted, to appeal unreasonable bills, and to pay only what they would normally expect to pay based on previous bills until the matter is resolved."
Mr Dales's private members' motion appears on the agenda for next month's synod at York but will not be debated as it at lacks enough signatures. If it attracts more signatures it could be discussed at the synod in London in November.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce